Sunday, August 29, 2004

I am Vanilla Flavoured. I am one of the most popular flavours in the world. Subtle and smooth, I go reasonably with anyone, and rarely do anything to offend. I can be expected to be blending in in society. What Flavour Are You?

If you were not VANILLA, you would be...

Mmm, I am Lemon Flavoured. I am bitter and twisted. Expect from me acerbic humour and sharp commentary. While I may seem nasty at first, I'm actually quite good company if I like you, so long as you don't mind a bit of cutting to the chase. What Flavour Are You?

I really don't like people telling me what to do with my life. My life is hard as it is without people complicating things. I mean, it is difficult to make decisions especially when the options are too few and opportunities are scarce. I don't need a parent breathing down my neck eveytime I refuse or fail to pass the requirements for a PT position in the States. I have waited for that chance for about four years now. My license is about to expire and I have not even used it. So why force a something that doesn't want to happen? I must admit I am already discouraged to pursue a career in that field, but I try to grab every opportunity that comes my way. What I'm trying to do right now is take it a day at a time. Make the best out of what I have as of the moment. If I can apply for a better position in the call-center industry, why not? I mean, I don't want to grow old here but I need the money. If I really want to be serious as a PT professional, I should study some more. Probably take Masterals or something. If I want to pursue further studies, I need money right? I am trying to make ends meet here. So, why cry in front of me and tell me not to get discouraged? When all the people whom you think could help us have abandoned us in our time of need? Why put the pressure on me? WHY?!

Rant Mode OFF

I just finished my Saturday shift at work. Glad a friend helped me find a PC with internet access. Whew!

Earlier tonight, I went to a long-lost friend's belated birthday party. I did not eat though since I arrived late. I just sat there, drank some lemonade and was glad he appreciated my presence during his celebration. I was the only anatomically female around (although all people on the table were kinda female considering their sexual preferences). I was also relieved that I did not feel left-out. There were a couple of "guys" there I know from the previous company I worked in. I was hesitant to go there at first because it's been a while since we last saw each other. He got thinner and more mature. He told me I'm getting fatter. So, what's new? Someone still loves me despite that, so I don't give a damn. I didn't have a gift. I just gave him a hug and silently wished that he finds the love he has been waiting for and he deserves. =)

I was late for work because of that. They were actually inviting me to this "gimmick" place. It's been years since I had a Saturday night gimmick. I was not tempted though. I had to go to work. Late or not. I have to go back to my real world.

Thursday, August 26, 2004

This was a scary experience. Last night, my father accompanied me as I waited for a cab on my way to work. It was not raining then. We brought an umbrella but I didn't think we'd use it. We were standing in the corner and there was sudden downpour of rain. It was not just heavy downpour, the wind was so strong it blew away the cap I was wearing and upturned our umbrella.

This cab stopped in front of us and three passengers were dropped off. I was complaining since it took them a long time to finally leave the cab and I was running late (as usual) for work. Then when I finally settled down, the wind was howling mad and I immediately informed my mother, who was at home, to tell me when my father gets home. Then suddenly, there was a blinding flash and a tree crashed, just inches away from the bumper of the cab. Both the driver and I were speechless. I thought if he would have driven faster or if those passengers left the cab sooner, the cab might be in that location where the tree fell. I dunno what would have happened. Maybe I am not here typing this right now...

I told my mother about it. I also learned my father got home safely. She said she is thankful that God hears her prayers to always keep us safe. I am thankful for her faith too.

Friday, August 20, 2004

My sister and I went to the mall today for some cool Ice Monster. Both of us ordered the mango flavored one. I thought since we don't usually eat there, we could have ordered two different flavors and tasted them both in one sitting. After eating, I thought of a slogan. I'll have this copyrighted in case Ice Monster wants to use it.

What am I doing up at this time of the day? I should be asleep in bed right now for I have work tonight.

But no, I was informed that I have a "briefing" today in that agency I mentioned before in my previous post. I did not get a briefing. The contact person actually discouraged me to continue hoping for that PT position in New York. She said aside from the US$4000 placement fee, I think I have to take up some subjects before I could take the board exams and it is going to be a loooong wait for the approval (if there is) from FCCPT. Where the hell am I gonna get four thousand US dollars?! She told me if I am really interested to get that, I should continue, but if not, I should just wait for other opportunities. If she only knew I've been waiting for that "opportunity" for almost three years now. Will that ever come?

Plan B is still good to go. The thing is, she told me to pass my papers for the callcenter position even though I do not have two years experience yet. There is going to be an interview next month and she wants me to be included in that batch. I better let my officemates know about this. It's exciting!

I dunno. If I'm meant to go this way, then I will make the best of it.

Wednesday, August 18, 2004

These past month, I bought some stuff-- affordable ones-- that made my wishlist shorter. Today, another item is crossed out. I got my late birthday gift from a very dear friend (c/o her sis. Thanks, Liza!). It made my day. Thank you very much! :)

I only had four hours of sleep yesterday. One of the placement agencies, where I submitted my documents to, called me up and wanted me to fill up about a 30-page form for FCCPT. They told me there was an opening for a physical therapist in New York. I was there, filling up the forms and realizing that it has already been two years since I graduated! There's no turning back now and escaping the real world.

I have to admit I don't think I am ready to practice PT since I haven't learned anything new since college nor treated a patient for about two years now (if you don't count my father who is a diabetic). I went through the fees (in U.S. dollars! My goodness!) and all the requirements I have to meet. I believe I still have a few subjects to take in order for me to practice in the United States (due to different curricula). But I still passed the form. I know it will take about a year of waiting (again!) before anything concrete will arise from that decision. I wonder if this is my chance of making a career of what I learned in school.

But then there is always Plan B. I have been working in the callcenter industry for about a year and a half now. I ended up working there, totally unrelated to my course, because of financial difficulties. I opted to get paid with light work rather than volunteer and overwork. When it dawned to me that I am the only income-generator in the family, I have to make some sacrifices.

That same agency is in need of callcenter agents with at least two years experience for Singapore. Since I am planning to leave my current job next year, it's the right time for me to go to another place instead. For almost thrice the salary I get now, Singapore is not that bad. I can always go home during weekends if my pocket permits! Hahaha!

I got home at 4PM yesterday. Before I went to my much-needed sleep, I just told myself that I applied for PT first and by next year if I still don't have results, I will apply for Singapore, and whichever comes first would be my chosen path. Then I prayed.

JK Rowling attended the Edinburgh International Book Festival today and gave fans some interesting tidbits about the future Potter books as well as the status of Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. There was no announcement about the publication date.

CBBC Newsround was there to hear Rowling tell fans:

Aberforth Dumbledore is the barman in the Hog's Head

Dumbledore's patronus is a phoenix

Grawp will be more controllable in the sixth book

We will see a bit more of Rita Skeeter

There will be a new character called McLagan

Harry does NOT have a godmother

Rowling also states that fans should be concentrating on answering two questions:

Why didn't Voldemort die when he tried to kill Harry?

Why didn't Dumbledore try to kill Voldemort in that scene at the end of book five?

According to BBC News Rowling told those gathered that:
Harry would "survive to book seven" but refused to confirm whether he would grow up to be a wizard.

Interesting. Very interesting. I never knew Aberforth, Albus's brother is still alive, much less working as a barman for that matter! I have an inkling that Grawp will "grow up" though. Oh well, I hope JK finishes the book soon so we'll have the answers to those questions. =)

That's what my sister and I experienced right after her "Hell Week" in school and the weekend after my payday. We went to the mall and watched "The Village". In my opinion, it is the best of M. Night Shyamalan's films, even surpassing "Sixth Sense", my favorite horror movie of all time. A lot of people were disappointed when the story's twist was revealed, but not me and my sis. We were talking about the plot explaining to ourselves and connecting all the details and clues shown before that eventful scene when the truth was told.

This 2-hour film kept us on the edge of our seats in the first hour, made the person beside me cry for about 5 minutes, made me teary-eyed and in-love for about 5 minutes as well, made my sister scream for a couple of times, made me knit my browse together for one instance and made us smile and converse in excitement (in whispers of course) for the last 30 minutes. You'll know it's an M. Night creation because of the twist and the music (that violin!) that makes the hair at the back of your neck stand. That movie was no ordinary horror flick! I love the cinematography and the manner they depicted each scene with a picturesque quality-- notice how the actors faces and/or bodies create angles with each other in one scene, how a square window encompass three actors in one scene and a similar scene appears with three other actors in another window. It was theatrical! I was never a Joaquin Phoenix fan, but his first Shyamalan flick "Signs" gave me second thoughts and this movie, made me change my mind. He is a good actor. But I also got to appreciate another talent-- Adrien Brody (from "The Piano") was great in playing Noah! I love his acting. Few words, all body and facial expressions. I know my knowledge of film-making technicalities and jargon is very limited and I am trying to explain this in layman's terms as much as I can. Or better yet, you go watch it and you'll see what I mean. =)

After eating and watching this movie, we strolled around and bought some necessary stuff. I even volunteered to do our groceries and I was stunned by what I had to pay. Our usual groceries that once cost about Php1,500 now cost Php2,500. Prices are way, way high nowadays! Inflation smacked me right in the face and in the pocket! Ouch!

We went home with our feet aching and my body craving for a shut-eye after only 4 hours of sleep the night before. But that was such a happy day! I hope we can do that again soon.

Sunday, August 15, 2004

...to do OT on a Saturday, especially when it's raining. But then I was in the Makati area before 10PM and I thought I could earn some extra bucks by doing a 4-hour overtime during my rest day. So, here I am, successful in searching for a PC with internet connection (since most PC's have weblocker. Argh!). It's cold in here right now but I am so looking forward to this day! =)

Thursday, August 12, 2004

While we were having our usual life-is-unfair, sex-and-whatnot discussions earlier at work, my friend opened this topic about our previous company giving their employees the incentive that they deserved. You see, it was agreed last year that agents get a percentage of every successful agent-assisted booking-- some sort of commission for the sale. This information was only made available to the employees this year. There was a delay and the reasons why there was a delay vary. Some say it was because the company does not want to give the entire agreed percentage to the employees. Some say they were deciding if they give the commission of those who resigned. Some say that they did not want to give the incentive, but when there was an exodus of resignations, they eventually agreed. I don't know what to believe and honestly, I don't care.

Anyways, my friend mentioned that a person we know got about P29,000 for an entire year's worth of commission. I have to admit, I can just imagine what I should have gotten since I made a lot of bookings for vacation packages, flights and such. It is in US dollars, so you know what I mean. But then it became a big deal because there are lots of people (like me), who got fed up with that company and decided to leave, and of course, we will not be able to get what's due to us. I mean, it is unfair, but at least they gave it to those who are still "suffering" (IMHO) while working in that company.

My friend was ranting about that and the discussion went to a point where we debated. My point was that if sourgraping can make that company change their minds and give us our share, why not? I'll rant 'til exhaustion. But then they won't. So, why add more to our suffering by making us realize what we're missing. I left that company for several reasons. Until now, I never, and I mean NEVER regretted leaving. In fairness to them, I learned a lot there. I do well in my current job because of the training I got. I miss the friends I made. I miss those who made my stay there fun. I miss the pantry and free coffee. I miss the dress-down policy. But I am in another chapter of my life now. Thinking all the what-could-have-been's and what-if's is like crying over spilled milk.

Tuesday, August 10, 2004

I miss having my couch time. As a couch potato, I am missing half of my life when I started working in the graveyard shift. That means, it's been more than a year since I sat on the couch and really watched TV. I only get to watch it whenever I do another thing-- like eating breakfast/dinner or checking my emails. I used to memorize the schedules of all those primetime TV shows and even commercial jingles. But now, I don't have any inkling with what's happening to the people in CSI, Sex and the City, Smallville, Charmed, etc. I'm glad there's still the movies I can go to.

The second couch time I'm missing is the time my friends and I spend after "lunch". At work, we have this one hour meal break and we spend about 30 minutes eating, 10 minutes in the washroom and 20 minutes on the couch. What do we do on the couch? We look out the ceiling-to-floor glass window and gaze at a part of Ayala Avenue at 4 in the morning. We rant and rave... just talk and talk about anything from our previous employer and how much money they earned in order to finance a new building, to our current work conditions and even love life! As much as possible, we try to have our breaks together, but since our schedules are far different these past few days, I often end up eating alone and sit on the couch with no one to talk to.

I'm glad there's still the couch I can always count on whenever I feel tired or alone. =)

Monday, August 09, 2004

Aside from dreaming about vampires and characters from "Night of the Living Dead" and the constant pitter-patter of August rain, my weekend was fine. Pretty fine except for the fact that it flew by so fast, I ended up starting this week with a lot more things to do than what I have accomplished over the past two "rest" days. I've been through a date, a council, bonding time with my sis and personal time for myself. I wanted to watch three movies and only got to watch one. I guess "Collateral" and "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" could wait. Heh heh.

If only I could push the fast forward button in my life, I will. I want this week to pass by swiftly. In short, I am looking forward to this weekend.

Thursday, August 05, 2004

There is an operative saying: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".

I want to believe it. That's why I am trying to hold on-- hold on to my preciousss. Although there are times I want to go for those "two in the bush" and leave my bird crippled, weak and unable to fly, I don't want to let go.

But maybe what I need to do is loosen my grip... then let's see what happens.

Monday, August 02, 2004

I spent most of the last day of July watching animal behaviors in the Manila Zoo. It's been about 10 years since I went in there. It was actually a hasty decision on my part where we could spend Saturday with him. The place is still undergoing renovation. But I must say it is more fun hanging out there nowadays. The renovated children's playground is more colorful. I like the way they made the man-made lake the center of attention when they placed elevated view areas scattered beside the lake. These view areas are about two flights of stairs high and there are wooden benches where one could sit and sightsee. I wish I had my camera then.

Yesterday, I spent time with two of my college friends and my sister. I think it was the first time my sis hang out with us. The six-year gap between us is inconsiderable anymore since she is in college and mature enough to be listening to the topics of our conversations. Hahaha! We ate lunch together and bought some Gonuts Donuts then watched "I, Robot". I miss those moments. I just wish Lau and Rio were with us too. I had fun considering we needed a prior approval of three weeks to set that date. Why three weeks? Because since all of us have work already, our schedules don't meet. So, we had to agree on a date and saved the first day of August especially for us.

I wonder how my other college friends are right now? Are they happy or are they lost like me? One of our chit-chat topics was about our batchmates who are already married (pregnant?). I just could not imagine I am in what they call a "marrying age" already! I feel young and I still want to do a lot of things in my life before settling down and committing to that type of relationship. I haven't even found the job I love. Heck, I even want to explore the world if circumstances permit! But then again, we can only do so much as deciding our path, until fate intervenes.

It was not a bad weekend to end July and start August. I just hope this rainy month will be better than the previous ones.